Time

I was reading OKALBERT’s entry “My Workshop #12: We’re making progress on the work bench now” (nice bench!) and he mentions losing time. I’m sure he’s not the only one who does that, as I find myself in that state almost everyday.

I’ve been thinking about including a clock in my shop, however part of my enjoyment is NOT knowing the time. If it gets too late my loving wife gently reminds me, and if I’m on a schedule I set an alarm on my cell phone.

On the other hand, there are times when I find knowing an AMOUNT of time is necessary (i.e. glue ups). I usually get around this by working some other portion of a project and just assume that an adequate time period has elapsed.

Ok, just rambling, thanks for listening!

-- Measure with a micrometer, mark with a crayon, cut it with a chainsaw.

10 comments so far

being “in the zone” where time is meaningless, is an amazing feeling. Although I’ve felt it slightly with woodworking, I really experience it during my photography outings when I find an object to do macro photography with. The world disappears. It is me, the subject, and the moment. There’s a zen word for that but I can never remember it.

The other time that I experience it (that I can talk about) is mountain biking. I’m not very good at that, so I have to put 100% of my concentration into it, which is why I do it…lose the world, forget my problems, etc. Very zen!

-- Measure with a micrometer, mark with a crayon, cut it with a chainsaw.

so when people talk about “living in the moment”.. that’s what it feels like. A casual conversation with a child—should be a zen moment.Peeling an orange.. should be a zen moment.Walking… should be a zen moment.

I first experienced this as a kid reading in school, only to look up to discover that the class had moved on to a next assignment. It definitely occurs now in the woodshop, and it’s a distinct joy.

The other part of my woodworking that is so different than most of my tasks in the world of my “real job”, is that from beginning to end it is my mind, eye and hand that conceives, shapes and finishes the work. Both have a needed Zen in an increasing fast paced and fragmented world.